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Press Release |

ST. LOUIS – October 5, 2012 – As the reigning World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals advance after winning the first-of-its kind NL Wild Card game tonight, here are details on how fans can enjoy the best-of-five 2012 National League Division Series that starts Sunday in St. Louis against the Washington Nationals. The Cardinals are making their ninth appearance in the postseason since 2000 and the 24th postseason appearance in franchise history. Given the new playoff format and the team’s position as a Wild Card, the Cardinals need twelve postseason victories to claim their 12th World Championship in 2012 (#12in12). Tickets for Sunday and Monday’s Division Series games at Busch Stadium are available at www.cardinals.com .

NLDS Game 3 may be moved to MLB Network (consult your program guide for a channel guide)

Radio Coverage

Fans can tune into KMOX (1120 AM) and the Cardinals Radio Network to hear Mike Shannon & John Rooney call the games, or listen to the national broadcast on ESPN Radio (101.1 FM) or XM Radio.

Online Or On The Go

Fans can follow the games for free on cardinals.com using the Gameday program. In addition, fans can subscribe to Postseason.TV to watch live online companion coverage of the 2012 Wild Card games & Division Series, plus the AL Championship Series.

For just $4.99, fans can watch up to 4 alternate angles at once, choose from up to 10 different fixed camera angles, tune in for live batting practice, use the pitch by pitch widget, view streaming tweets via Twitter, and use clickable line scores. The service is available to U.S. & Canada residents only on the computer and supported iOS and Android devices. LIVE coverage only. No Blackout in the U.S. and Canada. Visit Postseason.TV for all of the details.

MLB’s mobile app, At Bat 12, will provide mobile access to Postseason.TV on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. At Bat is available for purchase during the Postseason at $3.99/one-time or $2.99/mo. Fans who use the app’s mobile check-in feature will receive an MLB Shop discount.

Social Media

Fans following the quest for 12 in ‘12 via social media can follow the Cardinals on Facebook at Facebook.com/Cardinals and on Twitter (@Cardinals). Join the Twitter conversation using #WildCards, #12in12, #Postseason and #WorldSeries.

Driving to the Games

MoDOT will make adjustments to planned interstate closures Sunday to help Cardinals fans make it to the game. The department will open one lane on eastbound I-64 to 6th Street (the last Missouri Exit) at least one hour before game time. All westbound lanes and ramps are scheduled to be open. Illinois fans heading home will need to use Memorial Drive to get onto the Poplar Street Bridge, or take Broadway to Marion to access northbound I-55. All fans should allow extra time for their drive to ensure they are at the game on time.

MoDOT will have two lanes open on eastbound I-64 until 8 p.m. Monday. The ramp from eastbound I-64 to 11th Street is scheduled to be open and the ramp from eastbound I-64 to 6th Street (the last Missouri Exit) will be open at 2 p.m. All lanes and ramps on westbound I-64 are scheduled to be open. In addition, Illinois fans heading home will be able to use the ramp from 6th Street to eastbound I-64 after the game. All fans should allow extra time for their drive to ensure they arrive at the game on time. For complete travel information, contact MoDOT at 1-888 ASK MoDOT or visit www.gatewayguide.com

Alternative Transportation

MetroLink is a convenient alternative to driving, allowing fans to avoid the cost of parking and concert traffic. MetroLink will extend its hours of operation and add additional trains to accommodate Cardinal fans. Metro will continue MetroLink service until the downtown stations are cleared after the game.

Fans Urged to Organize “Rally Everyone Days” to Support the Cardinals and Kids

The St. Louis Cardinals are encouraging local businesses, schools and other organizations to help kids in our community while supporting the team by participating in Cardinals RED for Kids (#RED4kids). RED stands for Rally Everyone Day. Piloted during the 2011 postseason, Cardinals RED for Kids is the team’s version of an office “dress down” day in which participating organizations make a donation to Cardinals Care in exchange for the opportunity to sport their Cardinals clothes at work or school.

To participate, fans should go to cardinals.com/red to register their organization. While the Cardinals would like businesses to help raise money while showing their team spirit, schools are not required to make a donation to get involved. Participating schools, businesses and organizations are also encouraged to submit photos via the team’s website and social media showing their Rally Everyone Day (#RED4kids) spirit.

2012 Postseason Merchandise Available

Busch Stadium Team Store: The Team Store will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., briefly closing 45 minutes prior to gates opening on game days. In addition to standard merchandise, the store will also carry exclusive Playoff merchandise -- including hats, t-shirts and more.

Cardinals Authentics: Fans will want to stop by the Cardinals Authentics store in Ford Plaza, the only place to get official, game-used, limited edition and autographed Cardinals memorabilia directly from the team. Featured items include game –used equipment from the 2012 season, 2011 World Championship themed items, as well as items commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the 1982 World Championship. Cardinals Authentics has a variety of items to fit every budget.

Cardinals Magazine: The new edition of Cardinals Magazine celebrates the Top 10 playoff-round moments in franchise history. It’s the perfect companion piece to the acclaimed 2012 Yearbook, which celebrates the 25 greatest World Series moments in Cardinals history. The magazine highlights the first anniversary of David Freese’s heroics and how he’s established himself as an All-Star third baseman in 2012. This jammed-packed issue also features an excerpt and review of Tony La Russa’s new book, the 2012 team photo, and much more! Just $5, purchase your copy at Busch Stadium, online at cardinals.com/publications or by calling 314.345.9303.

Fun Franchise Facts

The Cardinals were founded in 1882 as an American Association Team called the St. Louis Brown Stockings.

In 1892, the team moved to the National League and changed their name to the St. Louis Browns. In 1899, the name was changed to the Perfectos, and in 1900, the team became the St. Louis Cardinals.

From 1902-1954, an American League Team called the St. Louis Browns also played in St. Louis. In 1954, they moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Orioles.

The Cardinals have won over 9,300 games, 11 World Series Championships, 18 National League Pennants, 3 National League Eastern Division Titles, and 8 National League Central Division Titles.

There are over 40 former Cardinal players and managers enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

Baseball America named the Cardinals the 2011 Baseball Organization of the Year for the first time, recognizing that the team’s big league success was built upon a strong foundation of a restructured organization that claimed two minor league titles in 2011 and that since 2005 has among the most team-drafted players debut in the majors. Since then, the franchise picked up another minor league title, when the Springfield Cardinals were named the 2012 Texas League Champions in September. It marked the St. Louis Cardinals organization’s first sole league championship at the Double‐A level since 1989.

For the 16th time in franchise history and the 9th straight season, the Cardinals drew over 3 million fans (3,262,109) during the season. With a 5.4% increase over last year, the team averaged 40,273, which ranks 6th in MLB, and had 19 sellout games. The season total attendance was the 8th highest in franchise history.

More than 23 Million fans have attended games in new Busch Stadium since it opened (April 10, 2006)

23,392,744 regular season attendance

839,583 post season attendance ( ’06, ’09, ’11)

The Cardinals bring more than 3 million fans downtown each year, with more than a million from outside the state of Missouri and over 90% from outside of the City of St. Louis.

There are approximately 3,000 day-of-game employees at Busch Stadium.

The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) estimates that the direct and indirect economic impact of the 2012 Cardinals’ season on the St. Louis region exceeded $338.9 million.

Each Division Series game hosted in St. Louis could have an additional direct and indirect economic impact on the region of $5.2 million per game

A full World Series run (7 games) could pump over $56 million into the region

In 2012, the Cardinals had nearly 40 Promotional Giveaways, ranging from magnet schedules and wall calendars to bats, hats, pennants, bobbleheads, replica championship rings and other popular giveaways.

Cardinals Care is celebrating 15 years of caring for kids both on and off the baseball field. Since it was founded in 1997, Cardinals Care has invested more than $18 million in helping children, including building 19 youth baseball fields in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Missouri and Illinois, and providing nearly $11 million in grants to over 800 non-profit youth organizations.

In 2012, Cardinals Care donated $281,000 to 137 organizations that help children, dedicated Lance Berkman Field in Sesser, Illinois and provided $200,000 to four charities helping children in Joplin, Missouri recover from the worst tornado in Missouri history. Cardinals Care and the Cardinals also helped build six homes in Joplin as part of the Governor’s Habitat Challenge that includes each of Missouri’s seven most prominent sports organizations.

For nearly a decade, Cardinals Care has run the innovative Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball league for boys and girls who otherwise might not have the opportunity to play. In addition to providing all the uniforms, gloves, bats, balls and other equipment needed for each team, Redbird Rookies also provides extensive off-field support in the areas of health, education, mentoring, and the cultural arts for each of the nearly 4,500 kids in Missouri and Illinois who participate through its more than 20 leagues.

In 2012, Cardinals telecasts on FOX Sports Midwest generated the 3rd highest local market television ratings in Major League Baseball, the 13th straight year in which the Cardinals ranked among the top three teams (courtesy The Nielsen Co.). FOX Sports Midwest-produced Cardinals telecasts are shown in nine states and available in millions of homes.

The Cardinals radio network is the second largest in baseball with 117 stations in nine states (Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee) with the potential to reach over 21 million listeners.

In one year, the Stadium sells:

540,000 hot dogs;

181,000 pounds of nacho chips; and

32,000 gallons of nacho cheese.

7,315,200 ft. of paper towels

15,373,800 ft. of toilet paper

During a typical season the Cardinals go through:

In 2012, the Cardinals were recognized by the White House and the NRDC for their sustainability leadership in sports. The Cardinals’ “4 A Greener Game Program” launched in 2008 is credited with recycling more than 1836 tons of solid waste, more than 575 tons of yard waste and more than 110 tons of composted organic material. The Cardinal’s concessionaire Delaware North Sportservice has donated more than $159,000 worth of food to Operation Food Search, with a waste diversion rate of 29%.

In April of 2012, the Cardinals partnered with Microgrid Energy, the Electrical Connection, and Sachs Electric to install 110 solar panels around Busch Stadium. During the 2012 Season, the Busch Stadium Solar Power Plant has generated over 22,000 kWh of electricity. That’s enough power to meet the annual energy needs of 2 average American homes. Using this solar power at Busch Stadium has eliminated an estimated 15 tons of carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere.

The Cardinals web site Cardinals.com is very popular with fans, drawing over 32.5 million visitors in season (March-September) and 1.3 million unique visitors a month.

The Cardinals have also been active in social media. The team has more than 1.3 million fans on Facebook (facebook.com/cardinals) [6th in MLB], and more than 180,000 followers on Twitter (@cardinals) [8th in MLB].

The Cardinals recently started an Instagram account and launched the Instagram Fan of the Day promotion to celebrate the best fans in baseball by showcasing fan photos. To participate, fans can follow the Cardinals on Instagram (@cardinals) and tag their photos #cardsgram. The Cardinals will showcase one lucky fan’s photo each day on the Cardinals Instagram account, as well as the team’s Facebook (facebook.com /cardinals) and Twitter (@cardinals) accounts. More than 1,500 #cardsgram photos have been submitted. The team’s follower base has increased over 200% over the last two weeks.

In 2010, the Cardinals launched a social media based “Stand for Stan” campaign to celebrate Stan Musial that culminated in President Barack Obama awarding Stan Musial the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

The St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum (cardinals.com/museum) collection is the largest team-held collection in Major League Baseball and is second only to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in terms of size with over 16,000 memorabilia items and over 80,000 archival photographs.

Sixteen Seasons of Baseball Like it Ought to Be

In March 1996, a group of investors led by Bill DeWitt Jr. purchased the Cardinals from Anheuser Busch. Upon purchasing the team, the Cardinals made a number of investments to improve the team and Busch Stadium, including installing a natural grass playing surface and promoting an ethic of Baseball Like it Ought to Be to honor the franchise’s rich history and loyal fans. What follows is a list of accomplishments, milestones and highlights both on and off the playing field the last sixteen seasons:

Since 1996, the team has finished in first place 8 times, won 3 NL pennants and 2 World Series while drawing over 50 million fans.

Cardinals’ players have won three MVPs, one Cy Young, one Rookie of the Year, 15 Silver Slugger awards, 24 Gold Gloves, and 52 players have been selected to NL All-Star Teams.

Expanded the team’s international footprint, operating baseball academies in the Dominican Republic, as well as employing personnel in five countries outside the US.

In 1997 the Cardinals created the charitable foundation Cardinals Care, which has since distributed over $18 million to area non-profit youth organizations, built 19 youth ball fields in local disadvantaged neighborhoods and currently serves over 4,500 kids per season as part of the Redbird Rookies program.

Donated nearly 4 million tickets to children and charities since 1996.

Opened the $28 Million Roger Dean Stadium and Sports Complex in Jupiter, Florida in 1998. Purchased the Charlotte Rangers in 2002 and moved them to Jupiter as renamed Palm Beach Cardinals.

Since 2005, the Cardinals have owned and operated the AA Texas League Springfield Cardinals franchise that plays at Hammons Field in Springfield Missouri.

The Cardinals moved into the new $411 million Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis on April 10, 2006 (beating the Brewers 6-4).

The team covered nearly 90 percent of the cost of the project, including infrastructure.

Since moving into the new ballpark, the team (and affiliates in Busch such as concessionaire Delaware North Sportservice) has paid over $175 million in taxes to the city and state.

Hosted the 2009 All-Star Game. The weeks’ worth of activities and events set attendance records and bolstered St. Louis’ reputation as America’s best baseball city.

Invested over $1 million upgrading the Cardinals Museum’s collection, now second only to Cooperstown in terms of size with over 15,000 artifacts.

Announced the team anticipates breaking ground in November on the first phase of Ballpark Village, a $700 million mixed use retail, entertainment, office and residential development on the 10-acre site north of Busch Stadium. The $100 million first phase, scheduled for Opening Day 2014, will be anchored by a first-of-its kind Cardinals venue called Cardinals Nation. Totaling over 30,000 square feet on three levels, Cardinals Nation includes a two story restaurant, a Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, and a 300-plus seat seating deck with views into Busch Stadium. A second building will house a 20,000 two-story Anheuser-Busch venue with a festive rooftop party deck offering views into Busch Stadium. The two signature first phase structures will be joined by a retractable glass canopy covering the Live at Ballpark Village! event space designed to be a vibrant gathering space throughout the year.

BUSCH STADIUM – POLICY REMINDER

Bag Inspections Policy

The standard game-day bag inspection policies for Busch Stadium will be in effect. Bags will be allowed that meet Major League Baseball’s standard size restriction (16”x16”x8”), and all bags will be inspected prior to entry.

Fans will be permitted to bring small personal cameras as long as they do not obstruct other guest’s view and will be subject to inspection. No professional-sized photography equipment will be allowed except for members of the media with proper MLB Postseason credentials.

Non-alcoholic beverages such as water & soda in open cups or in clear plastic bottles no larger than 2 liters are allowed.

Small banners and signs are allowed. Banners may be displayed as long as they do not hinder or interfere with a ball in play or distract or interfere with the view of another guest. Banners may not be displayed in fair territory, be obscene or in poor taste, attract abuse or cause a disturbance among other guests. They should be baseball-oriented and not commercial in nature.

Please minimize items you bring into the stadium to speed up the inspection process.

Expect long lines upon entry and allow yourself plenty of time to go through the inspection process.

Exit/Re-entry Policy

Standard Exit/Re-entry Policies are in effect. Guests wishing to leave the stadium, but planning to return during the same game must have their hand stamped at Gates 1, 2 or 4 as they exit the stadium. Guests must show ticket upon re-entry. Inspection policy will also be enforced.

No Smoking Policy

Standard Busch Stadium Smoking Policy is in effect. Busch Stadium is a smoke-free facility. Exit/Re-Entry turnstiles will be set up at Gates 1, 2 and 4 to allow fans access in and out of the stadium if they wish to smoke. Fans will get their hand stamped as they exit the stadium. Guests must show ticket upon re-entry. Inspection policy will also be enforced.